Around the Pearl: October First Thursday Gallery Walk Guide!
Top Picks for October’s First Thursday Gallery Walks
Portland’s original creative district is brimming with exciting gallery openings and exhibitions this October. On October 3rd, don’t miss First Thursday in the Pearl—explore a vibrant array of galleries and experience the ever-eclectic Street Gallery on historic NW 13th Avenue. Check out the latest PADA Art Guide for more art events across Portland. And for all the latest happenings in the Pearl District, follow #AroundthePearl and @aroundthepearl.pdx.
First Thursday Gallery Walk
First Thursday Featured Artists! Leah Kohlenberg, Pippa Arend, and Susi Davis
Exhibtion Date | Thursday, October 3rd
Time | 4pm-8pm
Location | 13th Street Lofts, 239 NW 13th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland
(Across the street from Janken and Wieden + Kennedy and next to Bludot on historic 13th Avenue between Davis and Everett.
Explore the inaugural First Thursday exhibitions at these three remarkable artists' lofts. Immerse yourself in the captivating works of Leah Kohlenberg, Pippa Arend, and Susi Davis, each showcasing their unique vision and creative mastery.
To preview or dive deeper into their artistic worlds, visit their websites and Instagram profiles.
Leah Kohlenberg | @leahkohlenberg Pippa Arend | @pippaarend Susi Davis | @susibcreates
“Agave!’ by Leah Kohlenberg | “Ophelia, The Morning of..” by Pippa Arend |“Pet Portrait” by Susi Davis
Augen Gallery
Gallery Hours | Tuesday - Saturday, 11:30 am - 5:00 pm (and by appointment)
Location | (DESOTO BUILDING) 716 NW Davis Street, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
Owned and directed by Bob Kochs since 1979, the Augen Gallery has exhibited prints and works on paper by national and internationally known artists for the past 29-plus years. The gallery maintains an active exhibition schedule for the regional artists it represents and emerging artists from all regions of the country.
First Thursday Exhibition
The Northwest Landscape Works by: MARK ANDRES, RUSSELL CHATHAM, SALLY CLEVELAND, JOHN COLE, JONNEL COVAULT, RON CRONIN, JEF GUNN, GEORGE JOHANSON, AND KENDRA LARSON
Exhibition Dates | October 3 - November 2, 2024
First Thursday Opening | October 3 Time | until 7:45 pm
Opening Reception | Saturday, October 5, 1:30–4:00 pm The gallery will be open
Image | THE NORTHWEST – LANDSCAPES
Blue Sky Gallery
Gallery Hours | Wednesday - Saturday, 12:00-5:00 pm
Location | 122 Northwest 8th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
Blue Sky Gallery, also known as The Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, is a non-profit exhibition space for contemporary photography in Portland, Oregon. The gallery is dedicated to public education and began by showing local artists before slowly expanding to national and international artists. Blue Sky’s mission is to inspire and build community between contemporary photographic artists and our audiences through exhibitions, publications, and dialogue.
First Thursday Exhibition
Ryan Frigillana: Manong
Ashley McLean: Seeking you in other bodies…
Exhibition | through November 2
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5-8 pm
In-Person Artist Talk - Ashley McLean | October 5, 2-3 pm
Exhibition Date | September 5th–28th, 2024
Image | Blue Sky-Lower: Ashley McLean, Above: Ryan Frillia
Blackfish Gallery
Gallery Hours |
Location | 417 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
Located in the Pearl District, Blackfish is renowned for its dynamic exhibitions featuring contemporary art by both local and international artists. With a commitment to artistic excellence and cultural enrichment, Blackfish Gallery remains a cornerstone of Portland's thriving arts scene.
First Thursday Exhibition
Exhibition | October 3 through November 2, 2024
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5-8 pm
Artist Talk | October 20, 2-3 pm
Don Bailey | In the Hoopa language, "kiwhliw" translates to "he who paints," reflecting the deep cultural roots of Don Bailey, a Native American painter raised on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in Northern California.
Image | Don Baily
Benjamin Mefford | is an interdisciplinary artist based in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. His work has been shown in more than 60 exhibitions and is included in private, commercial, and public collections.
Image | Big Fan
Myra Clark | Clark experiments with multi-media installations in her current work, and often focuses on political and social issues.
Image | Cave Deer
Elizabeth Leach Gallery
Gallery Hours | Tuesday through Saturday: 10:30 am–5:30 pm and by appointment
Location | 417 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
The Elizabeth Leach Gallery features regional and international artists across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia. It remains a vital cultural hub dedicated to outstanding artistry and engaging exhibitions and an essential destination for art enthusiasts in Portland.
First Thursday Exhibition
Ann Hamilton: Figuring Luck
“The subjects of Hamilton’s Figuring Luck are the roughly rendered forms of the ‘Fève’, miniature hand-painted ceramic figures traditionally baked into king’s cake for the Epiphany holiday.” - Elizabeth Leach Gallery
Read more on the Elizabeth Leach Gallery website: Here
Exhibition Dates | October 3 - November 2, 2024
First Thursday reception: October 3, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Image | Ann Hamilton, fève 9, 2024
The Froelick Gallery
Froelick Gallery exhibits and represents a diverse roster of contemporary artists, each with strong and independent voices. Their artists live in the Pacific Northwest, throughout the US, and in Tokyo. In October 1995, the gallery opened in Downtown Portland and relocated in 2007 to the historic DeSoto Building between Old Town and the Pearl District.
Gallery Hours | Open for walk-in visits and by appointment Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am–5 pm
Location | 714 NW Davis Street, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
First Thursday Exhibition
Jake Scharbach:
Treachery of Images
“In this particular body of work I continue analyzing divisions between modern and historical artifacts. In this vein of intervention, I have sliced up art history and photos pulled from Reuters news, shuffled them and recombined them into compositions that I then used to paint from.” - Jake Scharbach. Read more: Here
Exhibtion | 3 September - 12 October 2024
First Thursday Date & Time | October 3, 5:00 –8:00 pm
Image | Jake Scharbach: Losing My Religion
Orlando Almanza: Gente de Río
"I am drawn to stories. I love to listen to myths, legends and stories and to hold them in my mind. To imagine how they occurred. My passion and work is to find the visual universe where myths exist and to commit them to memory on canvas.” - Orlando Almanza
Exhibtion | 3 September - 12 October 2024
First Thursday Date & Time | October 3, 5:00 –8:00 pm
Image | Orlando Almanza: Atardecer en el Río Yáquimo - Sunset on the Yáquimo River
Gallery 114
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Location | 1100 Building, 1100 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209
Gallery 114, one of the oldest artist-owned and artist-run collectives on the West Coast, is a vibrant hub for contemporary art in Portland's bustling Pearl District. Located in the 1100 building, it serves as a prominent venue for curated exhibitions and community-focused events, enriching the cultural landscape and providing a dynamic platform for artistic exploration and engagement.
First Thursday Exhibition
Group Show Curated by Sharon Servilio: Hyphae
A group exhibition exploring ecological mysticism. Guest artists: David Onri Anderson, Francis Dot, Sadé DuBoise, Kanetaka Ikeda, Alim Ringgold, Catherine Sieck, Petra Szilagyi, Jessie Rose Vala, Brian Zegeer.
Exhibition Dates | October 3 through Nov 2
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5-8 pm
Artist Panel Exhibition Dates | Francis Dot, Carlie Kinto, and Jessie Rose Vala | Oct 5, 3-4:30 pm
Image | Gallery 114
J. Pepin Art Gallery
Please note the new hours or by appointment:
Monday - Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday - Saturday: 12 - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 - 4 pm
Location | Maytag Building, 532 NW 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
The J Pepin Art Gallery offers a captivating showcase of artworks during the summer months. Known for its eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations, the gallery highlights the creative vision of local artists. J. Pepin Art Gallery reframes the perception of mental illness as one of mental health. Along with their work, the artists share their own journeys with mental health, creating a much-needed dialog.
First Thursday Exhibition
Rachel Escoe: Elemental Voice
First Thursday is October 3rd!
Please join J.Pepin Gallery for the opening of Rachel Escoe's exhibit Elemental Voice featuring her latest body of glasswork.
Exhibition | October 3 through November 2
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5:30-8:30 pm
Image | Memory Pod; Blown Glass with paper
J.Pepin Special Event
“Art is Essential for Life” with Artist/Author Meghan Caughey, MFA
Meghan will lead the audience in a hands-on art-making experience and read from her highly anticipated second book, “Art From the Edge of the Bridge.”
Date | Sunday, October 20th
Time | 2 pm- 4 pm
RSVP | Space is limited. Please RSVP: Click Here
Laura Vincent Design & Gallery
Gallery Hours | Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and by appointment.
Location | 824 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209
Established in 2018, Laura Vincent Design & Gallery defines its artistic program through the work of represented contemporary artists with soulful and discerning voices. Exhibition-based, the gallery hosts shows of regional, national, and international artwork.
First Thursday Exhibition
Micah Kassell: Terms and Conditions
James Florschutz: Memory Markers
Exhibition Dates | through November 2
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5-8 pm
A Dialogue with Micah Kassell & James Florschutz | October 19, 11 am-12 pm
Image | MICAH KASSELL- In Humble Terms
The BLACK Gallery: Resistance Is Happening Now: Archiving the Black Lives Matter Movement
UPCOMING EVENT: First Thursday Artist Talk
Date& Time |Thursday, October 3, 4 pm to 6 pm
Artist Talk with featured exhibit photographers K. Kendall and Bear Perry. Light refreshments served.
The BLACK Gallery powered by Don’t Shoot Portland presents Resistance Is Happening Now: Archiving the Black Lives Matter Movement, a showcase that honors the ongoing struggle for human rights by centering the solidarity and advocacy work of local organizers. The exhibit features local protest photography spanning over a decade of Portland community action alongside evidential documents that illuminate the various and pervasive inequalities found within the structures and institutions of American society. The exhibition runs from August 1 - September 3, 2024.
The BLACK Gallery is open to the public by appointment only, Thursday to Sunday, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Group and class visits are highly encouraged - schedule Here
Waterstone Gallery
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–5:30 pm, Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location | 124 NW 9th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Waterstone Gallery is a contemporary artist-owned and operated gallery in Portland’s Pearl District, home to a vibrant arts scene. The gallery has been operating for over 30 years and presents dynamic, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted visual art by Oregon artists.
First Thursday Exhibition
Dave Haslett: Immortal Earth
“Immortal Earth” showcases stone sculptures by Dave Haslett. In this new series NW Basalt, Calcite from Utah, Onyx from Arizona and Brucite from Japan are featured. - Waterstone Gallery
Exhibition| October 2 - November 3, 2024
First Thursday Opening Reception | October 3, 5-8 pm
Artist Talk | October 20, 11 am-12:30 pm
Image | Dave Haslett - Immortal Earth
First Thursday Street Gallery: In the heart of Portland’s Original Creative District
October is the Last First Thursday Street Gallery of the Year!
🍁🎃Don’t miss the magic! On October 3rd, it’s your final chance to transform the streets into a vibrant, creative playground! 🎉 Art, good vibes, and all your favorite local makers come together for an unforgettable Pearl District party.💥 Round up your grab a drink and a bite, and soak up every last moment of First Thursday before we say goodbye for the year!
Date | October 3, 2024
Time | 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Cost | Free!
Location | The historic NW 13th Avenue between Flanders and Lovejoy, Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
⭐️FIRST THURSDAY EVENTS WITH PNCA ⭐️
Date | October 3, 2024
Time | 5 to 9 PM
Location | PNCA: 511 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209
CELEBRATE ART, JOY, AND COMMUNITY!
Visit PNCA for the First Thursday Art Walk and an evening of exhibition openings, performances, live music, and refreshments. It's free and open to the public! Check out @ccac_pnca for updates.
Exhibition openings featuring PNCA student artists: India Rel-McNeese, Savannah Sanford, Aries Brock, Erin Fox, Issac Soto, Ari Macrum, and Fatimah Hobaish.
Videotones @video_tones will close their exhibition, “Outside Inside World”, with a reception + live performance! Co-presented with PICA @picapdx and Elbow Room @elbow.room.pdx
Christy Wyckoff @christywyckoff has invited community members to read from the book “WORKING”, written by the late Laura Wyckoff and illustrated by Christy Wyckoff.
Argyle Winery’s “The Art of Sparkling” launch features the work of three student designers and will include sample pours + wine by the glass for sale @argylewinery 🍷 Live music with DJ Timothy Bee @timothy.bee. Enjoy a selection of snacks from World Foods with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Around the Pearl
Visit #AroundthePearl and the News to learn what’s happening in the Pearl District, and follow us on @aroundthepearl.pdx.
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Portland’s Original Creative District
We are committed to ensuring this mixed-use district continues to function as a vibrant center of art and culture, urban housing, and creativity. Through the adaptive reuse of our eight distinct buildings, we continue to honor the Pearl District's history while providing a range of spaces unique and unequaled in Portland.
